Report reveals Lakers’ stance on reunion with Frank Vogel

Oct 10, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Will the Los Angeles Lakers look to reverse the sins of their past? The Magic 8 Ball says, “Don’t count on it.”

Shams Charania of The Athletic appeared this week on “The Pat McAfee Show” and spoke on the possibility of Frank Vogel returning to the Lakers after his recent firing by the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately for all the nostalgics though, it does not look like a reunion will be happening.

Charania said during the appearance that the Lakers have not shown any interest in bringing Vogel back. Of the several names Charania has heard linked to the Lakers opening, Vogel is not one of them at this point.

Vogel, still only 50, coached the Lakers from 2019-22. He led them to the 2020 NBA title but was eventually fired following a 2021-22 season where the Lakers missed not only the playoffs but also the play-in tournament.

While Vogel might be the most qualified candidate still out there right now (not to mention that the players he beefed with the most on the Lakers are no longer there), there are a number of reasons why there might not be any traction there. For one, the Lakers are still run by the exact same regime that fired Vogel in the first place, so they may not necessarily want to admit their faults by bringing him back. Vogel was also fired by Phoenix just one year into a five-year, $31 million contract, so he will make plenty of money regardless over the next few years (even if he is just sitting at home).

Fortunately for the Lakers, who just fired Vogel’s successor Darvin Ham after only two years in charge, they should still have plenty of good options. In particular, there is one very well-known name who is gaining a lot of steam right now.